Engaged By Design

By Dr. Michael Cottam and Dr. Vernon Smith

Exploring innovation trends in learning, design, leadership, and change management in higher education. Experienced, successful leaders who have been there, done that, and own the t-shirt share perspe... more

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FAQs about Engaged By Design:

How many episodes does Engaged By Design have?

The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.

Engaged By Design episodes:

December 23, 2025Happy Now? Faith, Culture, and Courage with Dr. Sylvia Nemmers (Part 2)
Podcast: Engaged By Design
Episode: Part 2 — Faith, Culture & Courage Abroad
Guest: Dr. Sylvia Nemmers — scientist, educator, world traveler, multilingual mother, and author of Happy Now.
Episode Summary
In this second installment of our three-part conversation, Dr. Sylvia Nemmers takes us around the globe—Pakistan, Jordan, Greece, and beyond—to explore what happens when identity, faith, disability, and culture intersect.
She shares how falling in love with a Pakistani student reshaped her worldview, how a spiritual moment in St. Peter’s Basilica led to an unexpected conversion to Islam, and how living across cultures forced her to confront assumptions she didn’t know she held. Sylvia speaks openly about learning Arabic through immersion with children, navigating strict gender norms, raising her own children across borders, and discovering humility as a transformative leadership tool.
This episode illuminates what it means to be a cultural learner, not just a cultural observer. It shows that empathy can only flourish when we stop assuming our own lens is universal.
Key Topics
Falling in love across cultures
– Meeting international students
– Recognizing shared identity as “outsiders” in academic settings
– Navigating family expectations and early marriage
– Beginning life in Pakistan
Conversion to Islam
– The pivotal moment in St. Peter’s Basilica
– Faith as recognition rather than instruction
– Joy, continuity, and spiritual belonging
Life in Pakistan
– NGO work in the Northwest Territory
– Navigating conservative norms (“Don’t act blind; no one will respect you”)
– Learning agency and self-advocacy in unfamiliar systems
Jordan: Lessons in Humility
– Raising children in multilingual, multigenerational households
– Misunderstandings with in-laws and the power of listening
– Learning Arabic through play and daily life
– Major cultural adjustment: food, family, and rhythm of life
Greece: A different kind of freedom
– Experiences outside extended family structure
– Observing different models of happiness and social life
– Gaining a more global understanding of “normal”
Universal Lesson: Unlearning Assumptions
– Recognizing that each culture has internal logic and dignity
– Learning to ask questions instead of drawing conclusions
– Seeing disability differently in each country
– Realizing humility is the beginning of wisdom
Quotes
“When you live in another culture, you stop assuming the way you see the world is the only way.”
“People have grabbed me on the street, and I’ve said, ‘I’ve been blind a long time. I’m very good at it.’”
“As educators, we have expertise and resources—but the person we’re working with is the expert on themselves.”
“Humility is what keeps curiosity alive.”
Reflection Question
What assumptions about people or cultures might you need to unlearn in order to see more clearly?
Resources
Book: Happy Now — Shattering the Myth of Happily Ever After (Amazon - https://amzn.to/49PHHYZ).
Sylvia’s speaking & consulting: BeyondLimits.cc.
Engaged By Design: MACRO Leadership resources.
...more
28min
December 16, 2025Happy Now? Authenticity & Resilience with Dr. Sylvia Nemmers (Part 1)
Podcast: Engaged By Design
Episode: Part 1 — Authenticity & Resilience
Guest: Dr. Sylvia Nemmers — scientist, educator, and author of Happy Now: Shattering the Myth of Happily Ever After
Episode Summary
From childhood blindness to becoming a scientist and department chair, Sylvia traces how authenticity, curiosity, and courageous mentors shaped her leadership. She shares her early life in an institution for the blind, the hard pivot to a mainstream Catholic school, and the creative lab workaround a professor designed that unlocked independence and confidence.
Key Moments
Opening, Sylvia’s reveal (born blind; limited sight after age-4 surgery); framing authenticity and strength.
“Happily ever after” myth vs reality; first vision (sunlight hurts; learning to adapt).
Institution years: separation, “authentic me,” and the fire-escape slide (bare feet in the Iowa snow!).
Transition to Catholic school: social codes, learning hurdles, stubborn hope.
Father’s influence: math on car rides, love of chemistry, finding equal footing in science.
Barriers & resolve: counselor skepticism; “evaluate my ability, the job is mine to find.”
Mentor moment: Dr. Larry Davis’ notched-syringe hack enabling precise dilutions; lab independence.
Universal design & the social model of disability; partnering with learners to remove barriers.
Quotes
“At that school, I was authentically me… No one expected you to be normal, and that was a blessing.”
“There are some things you can’t change… and then figure out ways to make it work.”
“Words are powerful. What you say to your students can change their whole future.”
Reflection Question
How have you overcome your own limitations—or the labels that others have given you?
Resources & Links
Book: Happy Now — Shattering the Myth of Happily Ever After (Amazon - https://amzn.to/49PHHYZ).
Sylvia’s speaking & consulting: BeyondLimits.cc.
Engaged By Design: MACRO Leadership resources.
...more
49min
December 09, 2025AI and Copyright: A conversation with Rachel Sweeney
In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael and Vernon sit down with Rachel Sweeney, Scholarly Communications Librarian at Bucknell University, for a deep and candid conversation about how generative AI is reshaping scholarship, copyright, authorship, and trust in academic knowledge.
Drawing on her background in documentary filmmaking, copyright, and publishing, Rachel explains why the scholarly record is so difficult to define—and why generative AI poses such a profound challenge to it. Together, we explore fair use, authors’ rights, AI hallucinations, fabricated citations, predatory journals, data scraping, and the market impact on creators and scholars across disciplines.
Rachel also shares practical guidance for faculty, librarians, students, and researchers who want to use AI responsibly while protecting the integrity of their work.
This is a timely and essential conversation for anyone navigating the pressures and promises of AI in higher education.
Key Topics Covered
Rachel’s nontraditional path from filmmaking to scholarly communications
What the “scholarly record” is—and why defining it is so complex
How generative AI companies have used copyrighted materials in training
The explosion of AI-generated content and its impact on academic publishing
Why recursive AI training produces “AI slop”
How attribution breaks down when AI scrapes content without citing it
Copyright fundamentals and the limits of fair use
Real-world examples from Hollywood, journalism, and academia
The rise of fabricated citations and nonexistent DOIs
Class action lawsuits involving monographs and AI scraping
How scholars and students can verify sources and protect their work
Why ORCID, DOIs, and Google Scholar profiles matter more than ever
Ethical considerations for using AI in teaching and learning
The market impact on early-career professionals and creative workers
Practical tips for responsible, thoughtful, academically honest AI use
Reflection Question for Listeners
How can faculty, librarians, and students use AI more thoughtfully, ethically, and responsibly at your institution?
We invite you to reflect on this question with your colleagues and teams and consider how these insights can shape your academic and organizational practices.
Featured Guest
Rachel Sweeney
Scholarly Communications Librarian
Bucknell University
Mid-Roll Promotion
ABCs of Murmuration with Kathy Hagler & Robin Graham
Helping leaders create healthy, adaptive, connected organizations.
Learn more at: abcsofmurmuration.com
...more
40min
December 02, 2025Live From the OLC Conference: Innovation, AI Realities, and Lessons from the Exhibit Hall
Episode Summary
In this special conference edition of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Michael and Vernon bring listeners directly into the heart of the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) conference exhibit hall. This episode blends thoughtful narration with real, unedited booth-floor audio conversations between the Engaged By Design team.
You’ll hear Michael and Vernon reflect on conference attendance, the uncertainty of today’s VUCA higher education climate, and the overwhelming presence of AI in sessions and vendor halls. They share reactions from Course Design Accelerator demos — especially the moment attendees gasped when a complete Canvas course was exported live in seconds.
Jarred joins to reflect on the challenges institutions are facing around AI, innovation, and course development. He explains why solution-first thinking is leading campuses down homogenizing paths, and why the real innovation lives within people, not tools.
Vernon and Michael discuss new learning research, including the study showing how students learn more when they draft first and use AI second. They talk openly about academic integrity, learning theory, and the role of faculty in shaping responsible, discipline-specific AI use.
The episode closes with a story from Jarred about a meaningful human connection he made at the booth — a reminder that, even amid technological change, the heart of education is still people.
Key Topics Covered
What we observed at the 2025 Online Learning Consortium conference
Why attendance felt different this year (budget constraints, cancellations, VUCA realities)
How AI dominated the conversations — and why nobody fully understands its implications yet
Demo reactions to the Course Design Accelerator and Canvas export
Solution-first vs. problem-first thinking in edtech
The role of design thinking, backward design, and intentionality in course development
New research on learning and AI (FMRI essay-writing study)
The future of student learning & time-on-task
Faculty-in-the-loop AI and preventing “AI slop”
The difference between shiny tools and practical innovation
Jarred’s reflections on human connection in crowded spaces
Why authentic interactions matter even more than technology
Notable Quotes
“Technology should lighten the load without replacing the creativity or humanity.” – Vernon
“AI isn’t the solution. The solution is already inside the institution — in the people and the processes.” – Jarred
“You still need time on task. You still need cognitive effort. AI can’t do the learning for you.” – Michael
“The future of education isn’t AI alone. It’s human. It’s faculty in the loop.” – Michael

Links
Engaged By Design AI Tools: https://www.engagedbydesign.com/course-design-ai-tools
OLC Conference: https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/events/
...more
28min
November 25, 2025The Power of ME in Murmuration: Awareness, Beliefs, and Connection - with Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham
Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham return to explore the “ME” in their ABCs of Murmuration framework—where awareness, beliefs, and connection lay the foundation for leaderful collaboration.
In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, Dr. Vernon Smith and Dr. Michael Cottam welcome back Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham, authors of The ABCs of Murmuration.
They unpack the “ME” in their leadership framework—showing how awareness, beliefs, and connection create the foundation for authentic collaboration.
Kathy and Robin share powerful metaphors about starlings, symphonies, and marching bands, as well as the story of Mozart’s Starling.
Robin also shares a moving personal reflection from Durango, illustrating how awareness and connection transform grief into leadership presence.
Key Topics
Why leadership begins with “ME” before “WE” or “US”
The ABCs of ME: Awareness, Beliefs, Connection
Lessons from starlings, symphonies, and marching bands
Robin’s Durango story: grief, awareness, and connection
The dance steps of leaderful collaboration: step up, step back, step together
The ABCs of Murmuration (available on Amazon)
Manifesting Murmuration Workshop — ABCsOfMurmuration.com
Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning (inspiration on choice and awareness)
Reflection Question
Here is your reflection question for this week:
What small step can you take today to connect more authentically with yourself and others?
Call to Action
👉 Visit EngagedByDesign.com to learn more, explore coaching opportunities, and download resources from MACRO Leadership.
💬 Comment on the YouTube episode, share your reflection, and subscribe for more leadership insights.
...more
42min
November 18, 2025Storytelling and Leadership – Lessons from The Instructional Designer’s Guide to Project Management (part 2)
In Part Two of their conversation with Dr. Guieswende Rouamba, Michael and Vernon explore how storytelling brings project management to life.
Guieswende introduces us to Bob and George — two characters who illustrate resilience, resistance, and the power of leading without a title. Together, they discuss how story helps us make meaning, navigate change, and see ourselves in the leadership journey.
A must-listen for instructional designers, educators, and anyone who leads from the middle.
Highlights:
Why Guieswende wrote the second half of his book as a story.
Lessons from Bob and George on leadership and resistance.
Why resistance is normal in change management.
How to lead without authority.
The role of empathy and storytelling in building trust.
How project management principles translate into everyday leadership.
Resources Mentioned:
The Instructional Designer’s Guide to Project Management by Dr. Guieswende Rouamba
MACRO Leadership by Dr. Michael Cottam
EngagedByDesign.com – Free MACRO Leadership Workbook
...more
30min
November 11, 2025People, Process, and Pedagogy – Dr. Guieswende Rouamba on Project Management in Instructional Design (part 1)
In this episode, Dr. Vernon Smith and Dr. Michael Cottam talk with Dr. Guieswende Rouamba, learning designer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and author of The Instructional Designer’s Guide to Project Management.
Guieswende shares how project management helps instructional designers navigate complex collaborations and reduce burnout. He introduces his “Three Ps” — People, Process, and Pedagogy — and explains why relationships are at the heart of every successful project.
Whether you lead design teams, teach online, or manage academic innovation, this conversation will remind you that the key to great outcomes starts with great people.
Highlights:
Guieswende’s journey from Burkina Faso to Illinois.
How project management skills elevate instructional design.
The “domain dispute” between faculty and designers — and how empathy resolves it.
The Three Ps framework: People, Process, and Pedagogy.
Positive psychology in project management.
How project management helps instructional designers prevent burnout.
Resources Mentioned:
The Instructional Designer’s Guide to Project Management by Dr. Guieswende Rouamba
MACRO Leadership by Dr. Michael Cottam
EngagedByDesign.com – Free leadership tools and downloads
...more
46min
November 04, 2025Project Management Beyond Work with Bridget Davis (Part 2)
Description:
Project management isn’t just for boardrooms or classrooms—it shows up in art studios, Renaissance fairs, and even around the gaming table. In part two of our conversation with Bridget Davis, PMP, CSM, DASM, we dive into how project management skills translate beyond formal work.
Bridget shares her entrepreneurial journey with Heathen Works, her woodburning art business, where planning, budgeting, and production all rely on project management principles. She also reveals the uncanny parallels between Agile project management and Dungeons & Dragons. From Dungeon Masters acting like Scrum Masters to players learning trust, teamwork, and risk-taking, the lessons are as practical as they are fun.
We also reflect on how risks—whether in a game or in higher education leadership—can be reframed as opportunities. From critical dice rolls gone wrong to institutional enrollment declines, Bridget and the hosts share stories of turning setbacks into innovations.
What You’ll Learn:
How project management supports entrepreneurship and creative businesses.
Why Dungeons & Dragons provides a surprising but effective model for team leadership.
The power of games in executive training and experiential learning.
How to reframe risks and failures into opportunities for growth.
Why curiosity is the key to engaging learners and building trust.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Heathen Works: Heathen Works
Ravenwood Renaissance Festival, Winchester, VA
How to Be More D&D: Face Your Dragons, Be More Adventurous, and Live Your Best Geeky Life: https://amzn.to/4gBMM8q
Dungeons & Dragons Starter Sets: https://amzn.to/4pAYcO9
Rio Salado College “Rio Way” experiential training and team games
Reflection Question:
How can you apply your professional skills to the most important passions in your life?
Subscribe & Connect:
🎙️ Subscribe to the Engaged By Design Podcast for more insights.
🌐 Learn more about MACRO Leadership coaching and workshops at https://engagedbydesign.com .
👍 Like, comment, and share to support our work.
...more
39min
October 28, 2025Project Management in Higher Education with Bridget Davis (Part 1)
Description:
Higher education is a world of committees, governance, and constant change. How can project management thrive in this environment? In this episode of the Engaged By Design Podcast, hosts Dr. Vernon Smith and Dr. Michael Cottam sit down with Bridget Davis, PMP, CSM, DASM, to explore how both Agile and predictive project management frameworks can help leaders succeed in academic settings.
Bridget brings a unique background—religion, Viking Studies, and a passion for music—that shaped her approach to leading projects. She shares lessons on trust, planning, and accountability, along with candid stories of pitfalls and wins from her career.
Whether you’re a leader in higher ed, a project manager in another sector, or simply someone who wants to see teams work better together, you’ll find inspiration and practical advice in this episode.
What You’ll Learn:
Why higher education requires blending Agile and predictive project management.
How to create flexible frameworks tailored to specific projects and teams.
The importance of planning, documenting, and clarifying roles early.
How Scrum builds trust and consistency through small, iterative cycles.
Why CliftonStrengths is a valuable tool for building stronger, more collaborative teams.
Mentioned in This Episode:
MACRO Leadership book: https://amzn.to/3IAp2VG
The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey: https://amzn.to/3KkvUHh
CliftonStrengths® assessments & coaching: Engage with us for your personal and professional leadership growth
The American College of Financial Services: The American College of Financial Services
Scrum framework overview: Scrum.org
Reflection Question:
How might you bring more predictable structure—or more agility—into your current projects?
Subscribe & Connect:
🌐 Learn more about MACRO Leadership coaching and workshops at https://engagedbydesign.com .
👍 Like, comment, and share to support our work.
...more
56min
October 21, 2025 Leading from the Middle: Leadership Lessons with Dr. Michelle Loyet (Part 2)
Description
Leadership often happens in the middle—not at the very top. In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Michelle Loyet, we explore how to lead effectively without relying on positional authority. Michelle shares her experiences at Webster University, where she learned to build coalitions, invite people into change, and balance responsibilities up, down, and across the institution.
Michelle also opens up about her unexpected background in roller derby and the leadership lessons it taught her—resilience, persistence, and teamwork. We also discuss Webster’s long history of serving military students, and how strategies like tuition alignment and transfer credit help meet their needs. This episode is full of practical insights for anyone managing from the middle of an organization and looking to create lasting impact.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How to manage up, down, and across with authenticity
- Why inviting people into innovation works better than coercion
- The power of complementary strengths in leadership partnerships
- How roller derby shaped Michelle’s perspective on persistence and teamwork - Practical strategies for supporting military students in higher education
Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome and introductions
02:00 – Managing from the middle: strategies for success
06:00 – The importance of invitation vs. coercion
12:00 – Complementary strengths in leadership partnerships
14:00 – Resilience and persistence: lessons from roller derby
20:00 – Role models, coaching, and team-building with Yelp Roulette
28:00 – Supporting military students through tuition alignment and transfer credit
32:00 – Reflections on leadership impact
33:00 – Outro & reflection question
Reflection Question for Viewers:
What can you do this week to build coalitions of support—up, down, and across your organization—to move an important initiative forward?
Links & Resources:
📖 MACRO Leadership – https://amzn.to/3IAp2VG
📘 Free MACRO Leadership Workbook – https://engagedbydesign.com
...more
35min

FAQs about Engaged By Design:

How many episodes does Engaged By Design have?

The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.